Clarence has a country feel close to Buffalo
Founded in 1808, Clarence is Erie County’s first township. The community sits on the border between farmland and winding suburban streets. Residents settle in the town for its open spaces and proximity to Buffalo, 22 miles away, and other cities. “It’s the fancy suburb of Buffalo where everyone wants to be,” says James Klossner, an associate broker with Whitetail Properties Real Estate LLC. Klossner has worked in the industry for 5 years. “They get that country living feeling outside of Buffalo.” Clarence is made up of hamlets like Clarence Center and Wolcottsburg. Wetlands and outdoor recreation surround the landscape. The area also has a Main Street with sidewalks and restaurants, and the town is bordered by state Route 78, which is lined with strip malls and eateries. “Clarence is spreading out into the Akron area now, so it's expanding,” says Klossner.
Homes on winding roadways with large lots
Homes are along winding roadways surrounded by mature maple and ash trees with large lots; some homes are lined with narrow sidewalks, while others sit on stretches of farmland. “The biggest thing you have to watch out for is that there are lots of wetlands; it's becoming exceedingly more difficult to build,” says Klossner. If owners wish to expand or build onto wetlands, they must have a permit. Residences in more rural areas may have a septic system, but most homes have access to public water.
National, New Traditional and Colonial Revival are common styles. Prices range from $150,000 to $950,000, and larger homes range from $1.1 million to $1.8 million.
Sports fields and courts at town parks
The Main Street Town Park is 90 acres of recreation for all seasons, from tennis and volleyball in the summer to sledding and ice skating in the winter. The park also has a town pool open from June through August. Farther down Main Street is Parker Commons, an open field with a playground and tennis courts. Near Clarence Center, Town Place Park is a sprawling 52-acre stretch of greenery with a playground, a pond for fishing and sports fields and courts. The town also has a paved 6.1-mile bike trail that was an old rail line and now takes cyclists and hikers along a scenic journey through Clarence’s neighborhoods. Part of the path passes by Meadowlakes Park, a 25-acre manicured area with a paved walking path near baseball fields and a soccer field. There are also playgrounds and covered picnic tables.
Commuters use Interstates to reach nearby cities
Using Interstate 90, downtown Buffalo is 22 miles from Clarence, and Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, is 26 miles, just across the Peace Bridge. Using Interstate 190, Niagara Falls is 28 miles away, and Toronto, Canada, is 112 miles, over 2 hours from Clarence.
Catholic Health Sisters of Charity Hospital, St. Joseph Campus, is 14 miles away, and the Buffalo Niagara International Airport is 9 miles away. Houses of worship such as Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church and Fieldstone Church are near Main Street.
Students attend highly rated schools
Clarence Central School District, which gets an A from Niche, serves the area. The school district has four elementary schools, including Clarence Center Elementary, which gets an A-minus. Clarence Middle and Clarence High both get an A. High school students may participate in clubs and activities such as dance, drama and marching band.
Shopping and dining on Main Street and Route 78
Humbert House on Main Street serves signature cocktails and light American dishes in a 1864 pharmacy. Asa Ransom House, a 1853 bed and breakfast offering afternoon tea, is down the street. Dawn’s Candy Shop & Gifts is an old-fashioned candy store along Maple Street with a playful baby blue color-scheme and a variety of chewy candies to sample. Chain restaurants and retailers like Crumbl, Walgreens, Target and Panera Bread line state Route 78. There’s also a Wegmans and a Walmart for groceries.
Fall festival and farmers market in Clarence
In October, the Great Pumpkin Farm, less than a mile from Clarence, holds a Fall Festival on weekends from September through Halloween. The festival has corn and hay mazes and carnival rides. There’s also a bar, bakery and candy store at the farm during the week, and fair food like turkey legs, hot dogs and kettle corn on the weekends. From June through October, the Clarence Hollow Farmers’ Market is open on Saturday, and vendors sell everything from hot meals to artisanal crafts.
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Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
